Most and Least Selective Law Schools in 2022

Find out which law schools are the hardest and easiest to get into

The writers at Enjuris know from personal experience the mix of excitement and anxiety that accompanies the process of applying to law school. The last thing anyone wants is to miss an opportunity, whether due to an insufficiently broad search or an underestimation of their potential to get into their dream school. 

By exploring acceptance rates, average undergraduate grade point averages (UGPAs), and Law School Admissions Test (LSAT) scores, we aim to clarify your standing in the competitive law school landscape. We will also discuss the number of schools you should apply to and highlight some of the less obvious factors considered by law school admissions offices.

Key factors considered by law school admissions offices

Law schools look at a host of factors when choosing which applicants to accept, but there’s really no way around the fact that two factors are more important than all the others:

• LSAT: As you probably know all too well by now, the LSAT is a standardized test designed to assess key skills needed for success in law school, including reading comprehension, analytical reasoning, and logical reasoning. LSAT scores range from a low of 120 to a high of 180. 
• UGPA: UGPA is a system used to calculate an undergraduate student’s academic achievement. In the United States, a UGPA is usually calculated on a scale of 0 to 4.0. A higher UGPA increases an applicant’s chances of being accepted. 

Other factors that may be considered by law school admissions offices include:

• Extracurricular involvement: Engaging in extracurricular activities, particularly those related to law or community service, can showcase your leadership skills, dedication to the legal field, and your ability to manage multiple responsibilities 
• Personal statement: Your personal statement provides an opportunity to show the admissions committee what makes you unique, as well as show off your writing and reading comprehension skills. 
• Demonstrated interest in the law: Law schools value candidates who have shown genuine passion for the law, whether through internships, work experience, research, or participation in pre-law organizations. 
• Personal growth: Evidence of personal growth and the ability to learn from experiences (especially obstacles) can speak volumes about how prepared you are for the rigors of law school. 
• Strong letters of recommendation: Admissions committees like to see strong letters of recommendation from people who actually know you well.

The ten most selective law schools in 2022

Law schools are hard to get into, but some schools are even harder to get into than others. We’re going to highlight the ten most difficult law schools to gain entry to, based on three key parameters: UGPA, LSAT score, and acceptance rate. Let’s provide some clarity on these criteria:

• UGPA: The UGPA listed in the chart below denotes the median UGPA, meaning 50 percent of enrolled students possess a UGPA at or below the value. This median UGPA does not represent the median GPA of all those admitted to the law school, but rather the median UGPA of those who chose to attend the law school in 2022. 
• LSAT: The LSAT score stated refers to the median score, meaning 50 percent of enrolled students possess an LSAT score at or below this number.  
• Acceptance rate: This is the percentage of all applicants who were granted admission to the law school. 

The ten least selective law schools in 2022

There aren’t any law schools that are easy to get into, but there are some that aren’t quite as difficult as others. Here’s a look at the ten least selective law schools in 2022:

How many schools should you apply to?

Deciding on the “right” number of law schools to apply to is subjective and largely depends on factors such as your academic achievements, LSAT score, career ambitions, and geographical preferences.

A good rule of thumb is to apply to 5-15 law schools. This should ideally be a blend of:

1. Safety schools: Schools where your numbers significantly exceed the median UGPA and LSAT.
2. Target schools: Schools where your numbers align with the median UGPA and LSAT.
3. Dream schools: Schools where your numbers fall below the median UGPA and LSAT.

The quality of your applications is as important as the quantity of applications. Avoid generic applications; tailor each one to reflect a genuine interest in the specific law school, demonstrating your understanding of its unique culture, offerings, and values.

UGPAs, LSAT scores, and acceptance rates for all ABA-approved law schools

There are 196 ABA-accredited law schools in the United States. You can find the UGPA, LSAT, and acceptance rate for each of these schools below: 

ABA-approved law schools sorted by UGPA, LSAT, and acceptance rate (2022)
Median UGPA		Median LSAT score		Acceptance rate
Western Michigan University	3	Pontifical Catholic University of P.R.	135	North Dakota, University of	72.68
Texas Southern University	3.1	Inter American University of Puerto Rico	143	Drake University	71.28
Touro University	3.11	Appalachian School of Law	146	New England Law | Boston	71.04
Southern University	3.13	Southern University	146	Creighton University	67.76
Atlanta’s John Marshall Law School	3.14	Puerto Rico, University of	147	South Dakota, University of	67.46
District of Columbia	3.15	North Carolina Central University	148	Capital University	67.45
Golden Gate University	3.15	Ohio Northern University	148	Roger Williams University	67.27
Faulkner University	3.18	Oklahoma City University	148	Quinnipiac University	67.03
Appalachian School of Law	3.21	Western Michigan University	148	Idaho, University of	66.77
Barry University	3.23	Widener-Commonwealth	148	Loyola University-New Orleans	66.67
Western State College of Law	3.23	Barry University	149	University of Illinois Chicago School of Law	66.44
Willamette University	3.25	District of Columbia	150	Montana, University of	66.09
Pontifical Catholic University of P.R.	3.26	Florida A&M University	150	Widener University-Delaware	65.69
Widener University-Delaware	3.26	Lincoln Memorial	150	St. Thomas, University of (Minnesota)	65.48
Ave Maria School of Law	3.3	Mississippi College	150	Mitchell|hamline	64.91
South Texas College of Law Houston	3.3	North Dakota, University of	150	Indiana University – Indianapolis	64.85
Widener-Commonwealth	3.3	Northern Illinois University	150	Western New England University	63.54
Unt Dallas College of Law	3.31	Roger Williams University	150	Akron, University of	62.87
Memphis, University of	3.32	Southern Illinois University-Carbondale	150	Samford University	62.15
North Carolina Central University	3.32	Touro University	150	Mississippi College	61.92
St. Thomas University (Florida)	3.32	Western New England University	150	Oklahoma City University	61.92
Capital University	3.33	Widener University-Delaware	150	Gonzaga University	61.86
Mitchell|Hamline	3.33	Atlanta’s John Marshall Law School	151	Saint Louis University	61.16
Roger Williams University	3.33	Capital University	151	Nebraska, University of	60.94
California Western School of Law	3.35	Faulkner University	151	Vermont Law School	60.94
Southern Illinois University-Carbondale	3.35	South Dakota, University of	151	Suffolk University	60.71
Idaho, University of	3.36	Texas Southern University	151	Northern Kentucky University	60.58
New England Law | Boston	3.36	Western State College of Law	151	Tulsa, University of	60.44
Northern Illinois University	3.36	Arkansas, Little Rock, University of	152	Widener-Commonwealth	60.18
Southwestern Law School	3.36	Ave Maria School of Law	152	Southern University	59.71
St. Mary’s University	3.36	Charleston School of Law	152	Ohio Northern University	59.43
University of Illinois Chicago School of Law	3.36	Elon University	152	University of Massachusetts Dartmouth	59.36
Vermont Law School	3.36	Idaho, University of	152	Willamette University	58.93
Inter American University of Puerto Rico	3.37	Liberty University	152	Lincoln Memorial	57.47
North Dakota, University of	3.37	Loyola University-New Orleans	152	Southern Illinois University-Carbondale	56.71
Mississippi College	3.38	Mitchell|hamline	152	Charleston School of Law	56.6
Cleveland State University	3.39	Northern Kentucky University	152	Baltimore, University of	56.56
Detroit Mercy, University of	3.39	Pace University	152	Duquesne University	56.31
Loyola University-New Orleans	3.39	Quinnipiac University	152	Pontifical Catholic University of P.R.	56.28
Pace University	3.39	St. Thomas University (Florida)	152	Detroit Mercy, University of	56.13
South Dakota, University of	3.39	Toledo, University of	152	Arkansas, Little Rock, University of	55.81
Lincoln Memorial	3.4	University of Illinois Chicago School of Law	152	Campbell University	55.71
Arkansas, Little Rock, University of	3.41	University of Massachusetts Dartmouth	152	Kansas, University of	55.33
Charleston School of Law	3.41	Unt Dallas College of Law	152	Mcgeorge School of Law	55.33
Elon University	3.41	Akron, University of	153	Oregon, University of	55.26
Florida A&M University	3.41	California Western School of Law	153	Liberty University	55.16
Rutgers University	3.41	Creighton University	153	Seattle University	54.92
Baltimore, University of	3.42	Nova Southeastern University	153	Maine, University of	54.6
City University of New York	3.42	South Texas College of Law Houston	153	Louisville, University of	54.21
Ohio Northern University	3.42	St. Mary’s University	153	Barry University	53.81
San Francisco, University of	3.42	Baltimore, University of	154	Louisiana State University	52.5
Santa Clara University	3.42	Campbell University	154	Santa Clara University	52.29
Montana, University of	3.43	City University of New York	154	Northern Illinois University	52.12
Nova Southeastern University	3.43	Cleveland State University	154	Missouri-Kansas City, University of	52.1
Oklahoma City University	3.43	Dayton, University of	154	Lewis and Clark College	52.02
Tulsa, University of	3.43	Detroit Mercy, University of	154	New Hampshire University of	51.74
Western New England University	3.43	Drake University	154	Pace University	51.62
Seattle University	3.44	Golden Gate University	154	New York Law School	51.53
Akron, University of	3.45	Gonzaga University	154	Touro University	51.4
Mcgeorge School of Law	3.47	Howard University	154	Missouri, University of	51.38
Missouri-Kansas City, University of	3.47	Indiana University – Indianapolis	154	Inter American University of Puerto Rico	50.99
University of Massachusetts Dartmouth	3.47	Memphis, University of	154	Wyoming, University of	50.96
Albany Law School of Union University	3.48	Mercer University	154	Chicago-Kent College of Law-IIT	50.55
Gonzaga University	3.48	Missouri-Kansas City, University of	154	Southwestern Law School	50.35
Mercer University	3.48	Montana, University of	154	District of Columbia	50.29
New Hampshire University of	3.48	New England Law | Boston	154	St. Thomas University (Florida)	50.27
Wyoming, University of	3.48	Southwestern Law School	154	Albany Law School of Union University	50.15
Howard University	3.49	Suffolk University	154	Kentucky, University of	50.12
Liberty University	3.49	Vermont Law School	154	Washburn University	49.33
Suffolk University	3.49	Washburn University	154	California Western School of Law	49.26
Creighton University	3.5	Willamette University	154	Puerto Rico, University of	49.01
Duquesne University	3.5	Wyoming, University of	154	Appalachian School of Law	48.5
New Mexico, University of	3.5	Albany Law School of Union University	155	Denver, University of	48.47
Washburn University	3.5	Duquesne University	155	Cleveland State University	48.46
Stetson University	3.51	Marquette University	155	Western Michigan University	48.15
Lewis and Clark College	3.52	Mcgeorge School of Law	155	Faulkner University	47.93
Michigan State University	3.52	New York Law School	155	New Mexico, University of	47.05
Campbell University	3.53	Samford University	155	San Francisco, University of	46.35
Hawaii, University of	3.53	San Francisco, University of	155	Brooklyn Law School	46.22
New York Law School	3.53	Tulsa, University of	155	Mercer University	46.11
Brooklyn Law School	3.54	West Virginia University	155	William and Mary Law School	46.01
Mississippi, University of	3.54	Arkansas, Fayetteville, University of	156	Atlanta’s John Marshall Law School	45.79
Saint Louis University	3.54	Depaul University	156	Cincinnati, University of	44.8
Drake University	3.55	Hawaii, University of	156	Hofstra University	44.74
Northern Kentucky University	3.55	Hofstra University	156	Western State College of Law	44.61
Pittsburgh, University of	3.55	Louisville, University of	156	South Texas College of Law Houston	44.34
Toledo, University of	3.55	New Hampshire University of	156	University of Buffalo-SUNY	44.04
Loyola University-Chicago	3.56	New Mexico, University of	156	Elon University	44.03
Quinnipiac University	3.56	Saint Louis University	156	Michigan State University	43.89
Syracuse University	3.56	St. Thomas, University of (Minnesota)	156	Ave Maria School of Law	43.73
Depaul University	3.57	University of Buffalo-SUNY	156	Toledo, University of	43.68
Oregon, University of	3.57	Kentucky, University of	157	Indiana University – Bloomington	43.35
Dayton, University of	3.58	Louisiana State University	157	Tulane University	43.29
Hofstra University	3.58	Michigan State University	157	Oklahoma, University of	42.52
Indiana University – Indianapolis	3.58	Mississippi, University of	157	Depaul University	41.81
California-hastings, University of	3.59	Regent University	157	Loyola University-Chicago	41.73
Arkansas, Fayetteville, University of	3.6	Seattle University	157	Syracuse University	41.71
Denver, University of	3.6	Syracuse University	157	Regent University	41.32
American University	3.61	Texas Tech University	157	Iowa, University of	41.28
Catholic University of America	3.61	Cincinnati, University of	158	Memphis, University of	41.22
Chicago-Kent College of Law-IIT	3.61	Kansas, University of	158	Arkansas, Fayetteville, University of	41.17
Georgia State University	3.61	Maine, University of	158	West Virginia University	41.14
Pennsylvania State – Dickinson Law	3.61	Nebraska, University of	158	Mississippi, University of	41.09
South Carolina, University of	3.61	Oregon, University of	158	Rutgers University	41.06
University of Buffalo-SUNY	3.61	Rutgers University	158	Marquette University	41.04
Louisiana State University	3.62	Santa Clara University	158	Seton Hall University	40.27
Samford University	3.62	Stetson University	158	St. John’s University	39.91
Seton Hall University	3.62	Catholic University of America	159	Belmont University	39.6
Chapman University	3.63	Chicago-Kent College of Law-IIT	159	Case Western Reserve University	39.18
Marquette University	3.63	Drexel University	159	Texas Southern University	38.17
Regent University	3.63	Loyola University-Chicago	159	South Carolina, University of	37.63
St. Thomas, University of (Minnesota)	3.63	Oklahoma, University of	159	St. Mary’s University	37.45
Temple University	3.63	Seton Hall University	159	Minnesota, University of	37.17
Connecticut, University of	3.64	South Carolina, University of	159	Ohio State University	37.11
Texas Tech University	3.64	Belmont University	160	Pennsylvania State – Dickinson Law	36.8
Tulane University	3.64	Brooklyn Law School	160	Texas Tech University	36.8
Maine, University of	3.65	California-hastings, University of	160	Temple University	36.55
Case Western Reserve University	3.66	Case Western Reserve University	160	North Carolina Central University	35.73
Iowa, University of	3.66	Connecticut, University of	160	Wayne State University	35.49
St. John’s University	3.66	Denver, University of	160	Florida A&M University	35.48
Washington and Lee University	3.66	Florida International University	160	University of Nevada – Las Vegas	35.44
Oklahoma, University of	3.67	Georgia State University	160	City University of New York	35.27
Kentucky, University of	3.68	Missouri, University of	160	Wisconsin, University of	35.18
Louisville, University of	3.68	Tennessee, University of	160	Illinois, University of	34.74
West Virginia University	3.68	University of Nevada – Las Vegas	160	Catholic University of America	34.67
Loyola Marymount University-Los Angeles	3.69	Chapman University	161	San Diego, University of	34.48
Miami, University of	3.69	Houston, University of	161	Loyola Marymount University-Los Angeles	34.42
Belmont University	3.7	Lewis and Clark College	161	Southern Methodist University	33.91
California-Davis, University of	3.7	Loyola Marymount University-Los Angeles	161	Cardozo School of Law	33.8
Houston, University of	3.7	Miami, University of	161	American University	33.77
Missouri, University of	3.7	Pennsylvania State – Dickinson Law	161	Richmond, University of	33.67
Northeastern University	3.7	Pittsburgh, University of	161	Miami, University of	33.47
Washington, University of	3.7	San Diego, University of	161	Nova Southeastern University	33.41
Illinois, University of	3.71	Tulane University	161	Unt Dallas College of Law	33.3
Maryland, University of	3.71	Wayne State University	161	Pittsburgh, University of	33.2
Puerto Rico, University of	3.71	American University	162	Tennessee, University of	33.18
Southern Methodist University	3.71	Pennsylvania State – Penn State Law	162	Wake Forest University	32.98
Baylor University	3.72	St. John’s University	162	Washington and Lee University	32.71
California-Irvine, University of	3.72	Arizona, University of	163	Emory University	32.19
Colorado, University of	3.72	Baylor University	163	Houston, University of	32.13
Drexel University	3.72	Iowa, University of	163	Utah, University of	31.95
Florida International University	3.72	Maryland, University of	163	Brigham Young University	31.41
Fordham University	3.72	Northeastern University	163	Colorado, University of	31.23
Nebraska, University of	3.72	Richmond, University of	163	Howard University	31.16
Pennsylvania State – Penn State Law	3.72	Temple University	163	Northeastern University	31.05
Wake Forest University	3.72	Utah, University of	163	Drexel University	31.03
Cincinnati, University of	3.73	Villanova University	163	Stetson University	30.95
Kansas, University of	3.73	Cardozo School of Law	164	Pennsylvania State – Penn State Law	30.86
Wisconsin, University of	3.73	Colorado, University of	164	Washington, University of	30.29
Boston College	3.74	Indiana University – Bloomington	164	Hawaii, University of	29.65
San Diego, University of	3.74	Ohio State University	164	Maryland, University of	29.49
University of Nevada – Las Vegas	3.74	Pepperdine University	164	California-hastings, University of	28.95
Richmond, University of	3.75	Southern Methodist University	164	Chapman University	28.7
William and Mary Law School	3.75	Texas A&M University	164	Georgia State University	28.44
Arizona, University of	3.76	Washington and Lee University	164	Dayton, University of	28.32
Cardozo School of Law	3.76	Washington, University of	164	Connecticut, University of	27.99
Tennessee, University of	3.76	California-Davis, University of	165	Pepperdine University	27.68
Villanova University	3.76	Florida State University	165	Alabama, University of	25.78
North Carolina, University of	3.77	Wake Forest University	165	Golden Gate University	25.53
Emory University	3.8	William and Mary Law School	165	California-Davis, University of	25.18
Wayne State University	3.8	Wisconsin, University of	165	George Washington University	25
Indiana University – Bloomington	3.81	Alabama, University of	166	Arizona, University of	24.93
Notre Dame, University of	3.81	Boston College	166	Notre Dame, University of	24.58
California-berkeley, University of	3.83	George Mason University	166	Baylor University	23.87
Florida State University	3.83	Illinois, University of	166	Florida International University	22.6
George Mason University	3.83	North Carolina, University of	166	Arizona State University	19.65
Michigan, University of	3.83	Arizona State University	167	George Mason University	19.63
Minnesota, University of	3.83	California-Irvine, University of	167	Florida State University	19.58
Boston University	3.84	Fordham University	167	California-Irvine, University of	19.45
George Washington University	3.84	Brigham Young University	168	Fordham University	18.79
Texas at Austin, University of	3.84	Emory University	168	Washington University	18.02
Arizona State University	3.85	George Washington University	168	Georgetown University	17.64
Duke University	3.85	Georgia, University of	168	Cornell University	17.44
Pepperdine University	3.85	Minnesota, University of	168	Florida, University of	16.94
Georgetown University	3.86	Notre Dame, University of	168	Villanova University	16.47
Ohio State University	3.86	Southern California, University of	168	Boston University	16.33
Columbia University	3.87	Florida, University of	169	Texas A&M University	16.33
Cornell University	3.87	Boston University	170	New York University	15.65
Georgia, University of	3.87	California-berkeley, University of	170	California-los Angeles, University of	15.5
Southern California, University of	3.87	Duke University	170	Northwestern University	15.05
Utah, University of	3.87	Texas at Austin, University of	170	Georgia, University of	14.83
New York University	3.88	Vanderbilt University	170	North Carolina, University of	14.61
Northwestern University	3.89	California-los Angeles, University of	171	Texas at Austin, University of	14.56
California-los Angeles, University of	3.9	Georgetown University	171	Vanderbilt University	14.53
Florida, University of	3.9	Michigan, University of	171	Chicago, University of	14.24
Pennsylvania, University of	3.9	Northwestern University	171	Michigan, University of	13.51
Vanderbilt University	3.9	Virginia, University of	171	Virginia, University of	12.88
Chicago, University of	3.91	Cornell University	172	Southern California, University of	12.7
Brigham Young University	3.92	New York University	172	California-berkeley, University of	12.47
Harvard University	3.92	Pennsylvania, University of	172	Columbia University	11.93
Stanford University	3.92	Washington University	172	Duke University	10.74
Texas A&M University	3.93	Chicago, University of	173	Boston College	10.16
Virginia, University of	3.94	Columbia University	173	Harvard University	10.06
Washington University	3.94	Stanford University	173	Pennsylvania, University of	9.74
Yale University	3.94	Harvard University	174	Stanford University	6.88
Alabama, University of	3.95	Yale University	175	Yale University	5.72

Applying for law school? Here are some other resources that may be helpful:

• Law school enrollment by race and ethnicity (2023)
• Law school rankings by female enrollment (2023)
• 10 expert tips on how to survive law school
• Best legal podcasts for law students
• Top 10 television shows for law students
• 10 books to read before starting law school
• Top 15 quotes for law students
• Legal terms every law student should know

About Enjuris^®

Enjuris.com is a collection of independent legal resources designed to help people with their biggest questions following an accident or injury. Through instructive articles written by experienced attorneys, printable forms, and a free legal directory, Enjuris provides injury victims with the information and tools they need to take the next step. In keeping with its mission, Enjuris.com also provides promising college and law school students with scholarships and other resources to help them one day become effective lawyers.

---

Data source: American Bar Association, ABA Required Disclosures (Standard 509 Reports). Any mistakes in data reported to the ABA are the responsibility of the reporting school. Enjuris assumes no responsibility for inaccuracies or for changes in such information that may occur after publication. The figures here are as reported on December 16, 2022. Schools may update their data at any time. Please see the ABA website for updated figures.